pounce

¹pounce

noun \ˈpau̇n(t)s\

Definition of POUNCE

: the claw of a bird of prey

Origin of POUNCE

Middle English, punching tool, dagger, talon — more at punch

First Known Use: 15th century

²pounce

intransitive verb

pouncedpounc·ing

Definition of POUNCE

1

a : to swoop upon and seize something with or as if with talons

b : to seize upon and make capital of something (as another's blunder or an opportunity)

2

: to make a sudden assault or approach

First Known Use of POUNCE

1744

Rhymes with POUNCE

bounce, flounce, jounce, ounce

³pounce

noun

Definition of POUNCE

: the act of pouncing

First Known Use of POUNCE

1841

⁴pounce

transitive verb

pouncedpounc·ing

Definition of POUNCE

: to dust, rub, finish, or stencil with pounce

Origin of POUNCE

Middle French poncer, from ponce

First Known Use: 1535

⁵pounce

noun

Definition of POUNCE

1

: a fine powder formerly used to prevent ink from spreading

2

: a fine powder for making stenciled patterns

Origin of POUNCE

French ponce pumice, from Middle French, from Late Latin pomic-, pomex, alteration of Latin pumic-, pumex — more at foam

First Known Use: circa 1706